Recent Reviews

"They performed the MOT in a quick and timely manner. Afterwards, he offered his advice on the problem I had been having and that it is worth fixing considering the condition of the vehicle which was reassuring to hear from a professional."

"Shockley autocentre were quick at doing my mot and letting me know what work was needed to be done to it. They then fixed my wind screen wash pump and charged me a very reasonable amount for it. Really pleased with the work and customer service."

"Due to working funny hours, they collected my car early in the morning, did the MOT, phoned me with what was needed to be done, repaired it and returned it by the time i got home from work. Just a normal day for me but i had my car sorted stress free and the staff were lovely. Would definitely recommend them."

What is power steering?

Power Assisted Steering, or ‘PAS' as it is also known, is a mechanism that helps you to steer your car.
In most vehicles, the PAS relies on a hydraulic system to aid turning the vehicle's wheels.
If you have ever driven a car with no Power Steering you will have most certainly noticed the difference between having PAS and not.
Power Steering used to be a luxury in certain vehicles, but nowadays it is almost standard in every type of vehicle.

Why is power steering important?

In the early days of the automotive industry, power-assisted steering was a luxury and was only available in high-end vehicles. Most new cars now have it as standard. That’s because they’ve become heavier, with wider tyres and front wheel drive, and would be extremely difficult to drive without PAS. This makes a car not only more pleasant to drive, but safer to drive too.

How does power steering work?

Hydraulic power-assisted steering

There are two types of hydraulic power-assisted steering: rack & pinion and the recirculating ball. Rack & pinion is the most common. The recirculating ball is far less common and only really exists in vans and trucks. Both have high-pressure hoses that connect the steering rack to the two sides of the centre seal. One hose sends hydraulic fluid from the power-steering pump to the steering mechanism, while the other directs fluid back to the pump. When turned left or right, the steering wheel’s steering mechanism allows the hydraulic fluid to pass to respective side of the steering rack, pushing the seal and rack in the necessary direction.

Electric power-assisted steering

Electric power-assisted steering is fully electric. The wheels of the car receive direct assistance from an electric motor which is mounted on either the steering rack or steering column or directly to the steering rack. Sensors decide how much assistance to apply at any time.

What causes power steering problems?

Hydraulic power-assisted steering

When hydraulic fluid lubricates and seals the power-steering pump and hoses to prevent corrosion it can leak or gradually become less effective, making it harder to turn the steering wheel. Typically, a mechanic will check hydraulic fluid levels during an annual service.

Electric power-assisted steering

If the electric motor fails, power-assisted steering will stop working, so the motor would need replacing. As with any electrical system, software problems can occur, necessitating an update.

What are the signs that a car needs power-steering repairs?

When you see a transparent fluid patch under the car.

If the car’s steering wheel feels harder to turn than normal.

When there’s a squeaking or groaning noise when turning the wheel of the car.

How long does a power-steering repair take?

1 - 2 hours.

How much does a repair to power steering cost?

Up to £1,000, but could be much less depending on your type of car and the labour rate of the garage you select.

About Kia

Founded in 1944 as a maker of handmade steel tubing and bicycle parts, the company known today as Kia opened its first automotive assembly line in 1973 and built a small range of cars known as Brisa in 1981. After a bit of a lull, they really started pumping out the vehicles again in 1986, and partnered up with Ford.

Kia Motors Corporation is headquartered in Seoul, and is South Korea's second-largest auto manufacturer, just beyond Hyundai. According to Kia themselves, the name roughly translates to “rising out of Asia”. Nowadays they offer up a very impressive seven-year warranty on all their cars to please many drivers, and they are consistently rated highly across the board.

The style of older Kias on the road used to be quite questionable, but thanks to a modern makeover, cars from this Korean brand now sport stylish, trendy designs. The current range includes a wide spectrum of vehicles, from the compact Venga city car to the Sorento SUV. The Pro Ceed hot hatch is great for drivers looking for a better, stronger performance and Kia even offers the Soul EV, a fully electric vehicle, for those who after after eco-friendliness and cheap running costs.

What do you need from your garage?

This might sound like a question with an obvious answer: you need a garage that can service or repair your car quickly and
at a good price. But think again and you may realise there are other factors that affect your choice of garage in Thatcham. If
you need to bring your son or daughter with you when you take your car in, are there toys in the waiting room? If you’re
dropping the car off between school and work, can you pick up a cup of coffee while you’re there? Might the garage even collect
your car and drop it back at your house after the work is done? You can find answers to all these questions on BookMyGarage.